Business Case

Project Name:
Project Manager:

The purpose of this section is to provide a brief overview of the entire

business case.

Background
Describe the project background. This includes:
The date of potential formation of the project
The method of formation and current level of approval
The general business problem to which the project will address

Current Business Overview

Explain the current opportunity/situation/problems/issues and why it should
be changed or improved. You may need to explain any organisational
problems, legal issues etc. Additionally there may be a need to explain the
impact if nothing is done.

Strategy
Explain your strategy to address the opportunity or problem in broad terms
using the headings below if appropriate. If appropriate you may wish to
offer options for consideration.

Overview
Provide a comprehensive description of the solution

Issues
List any issues to be taken into account when considering the potential
implementation of the above

Constraints
List any constraints to be taken into account when considering the potential
implementation of the above

Risks
List any risks (e.g. business, safety, regulatory) to be taken into account
when considering the potential implementation of the above

Assumptions
List any assumptions to be taken into account when considering the
potential implementation of the above

Financial costs
Calculate the financial costs associated with the solution. It is of prime
importance to identify ongoing support costs/needs once the project is
finalised (e.g. Annual software licence fees).
Financial costing examples include:
One-off project costs
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On-going support costs

Non-Financial costs
Identify all non-financial costs associated with the solution. Non-financial
costing examples include:
Temporary reduction in service during implementation

Financial benefits
Calculate the financial benefits associated with the solution. Financial
benefit examples include:
Revenue, opportunity, service, enrolment generation
Cost reduction

Non-Financial benefits
Identify all other non-financial benefits associated with the solution. Nonfinancial benefit examples include:
Improved organisational culture
Improved image
Improved customer/ student satisfaction
Efficiencies in business practices.

Duration
Identify the likely project duration for the solution.

Recommendations
Provide a listing of the specific recommendations made in order to ensure
the timely approval and implementation of the solution.
Example recommendations include:
That the recommended option be approved immediately
That the timescales for implementation are approved immediately
That the next steps (as defined below) are approved immediately for
execution
That the required budget is allocated immediately in order to
undertake an initial scope
That the project manager is allocated immediately in order to
undertake the next stage
That the required resources are allocated immediately in order to
undertake the next stage

Next Steps
Once the way ahead is agreed and established based on the information
contained in this document, a Project Manager must be appointed (if not
already in place) and a Project Scope is required to be created.

Document Control
Version #

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Change Description

Date

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